Everett

So this little guy turns four tomorrow.  This is Everett, my youngest grandson.  He is always full of surprises.  This is him at our place with Harry looking on for droppings.  In this era of Everett, Harry reaped quite a bounty.  He is now quite a speaker and a kind soul with positive  words for his brother Paxton.  Somehow, he and I have become kindred spirits sitting together watching his favorite programs.  We will see the whole bunch at the party in Middleville.  Ev has the trappings of a fixer like his dad and likes to be in the thick of things.  He is the worlds most finicky eater.  All of us are always on the lookout for foods that appeal to him.

Grand kids can be a wonder.  All of mine amaze me every day. Everett with his fly away hair and sturdy frame always moves in a run usually barefoot, pounding the floor.  Oh. to run with abandon like that!  That is reserved for those without a care in the world. 

Poppy loves him very much!

all for now

stay safe

Jonathan Edward Kocsis

 Today is my son Jonathan's 40th birthday. His mother and I are most proud of the man he has become.  He is a great dad, husband, uncle and brother  committed to his family.  After an undecided period after the Navy, he has become a successful HVAC technician bringing heat and cooling to families in the Grand Rapids area.  He is  definitely Harry's grandson as a fixer and installer.  He once explained to me how a furnace worked in language I could understand. He was a Fireman aboard the USS Ashland and later a Naval Recruiter.

He knew all the intricacies of the piping system on this ship.  His captain said he was the "go to guy" in damage control.  He spent many months at sea and sent photos of places I will never see.  He and Kelly are building a life for themselves in Middleville MI on the banks of the Thornapple River and are in the middle of many projects on their new home.  Jon is a friendly and level headed guy that I love very much.  

We will see him for Everett's 4th birthday this Sunday along with the rest of the crew.

They win a big one

 

So the formerly hapless Detroit Lions defeated the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in a must win game Sunday night.  For other reasons, a playoff berth was not offered to them.  But their constant scourge, the Packers with their arrogant QB were sent home to lick their wounds.  Their coach Dan Campbell is a meat and potatoes guy that inspires these guys to accomplish great things.  He is not afraid to speak his mind or curse.  Seems like a guy you could drink a beer with.  For me, having a team like this for first time since I was a young boy is quite thrilling.  My long suffering Lions fan father looking down from above with his son in law must be pleased.  I told my sports loving nephew Matt, we won the Super Bowl.  Feels like we did. 

Going to have coffee with my cronies this morning.  We haven't done this in a while.  Mainstay comedian and commentator, John Considine has relocated to Florida so things have not been as lively.  I will fire up FaceTime on my phone to reach out to him today looking for an intervention.

Along the same lines, we participated in a trans Atlantic Messenger call with my cousins in Debrecen Hungary Friday.  I went wonderfully with me seeing my Australian cousin for the first time.  The images were outstanding and I am still amazed at how good this works over thousands of miles and4 time zones.  My sister and her husband also participated with our extended family.  I would love to have in depth discussions with Bela about lots of topics. His command of English is good.  He,  however is drowning in work and with his wife  navigating raising 3 lovely daughters 2 of which are teenagers.

Still struggling with the best food plan for me.  Doing my best to have proteins and reduce simple carbohydrates.  I must admit to some frustration at this task.  Foods I always looked forward to are now my enemies.  But, still standing with a reasonable amount of energy and stamina.  We will see in the continuing saga.  

Doing Planet Fitness again this. morning.  Our insurance plan now has reduced the number of daily steps to 5000 required to get the $10 reward each month.  I can get to that just walking around.  Seems almost silly.  

We are back to clouds today with a sunny day yesterday.

that's it 

all for now

stay safe

Looking back and forward

This is the first  blog  I prepared, nearly 7 years ago.  I was perplexed as to what to do with the rest of my life, my relationship with my family and how to occupy my time and how to be happy.  Some of these topics are still unanswered.  Judy can still stand me,  my kids and grand kids like me.   I have retained a few friends from my past that I see sporadically.  All of us now have moved forward from what we were and how we were measured in society.Those measurements have changed.  Folks don't care about your business accomplishments at this point   Retirement like walking down that aisle at graduation as the equalizer and can become your reinvention. 

I have met cousins I never knew I had and am thrilled that they want to know me.  They are from far off lands.  With the advent of technology, we can all communicate visually in real time over thousands of miles.  I still find this completely remarkable.  This morning, we are supposed to have another call via Messenger.  I admit to feeling great anticipation.

November 10, 2016 
My name is Jerry.  I terminated my employment of 28 years on April 1st of this year.  It was a good job not making me wealthy but paying the bills and at some times inspiring.  I wanted to start this blog to work through this transition in my life and maybe sharing some useful information with others, mainly men in my position to help with their move into retirement.

First, when you are accustomed to waking up very early, preparing and moving through your day and now that it is stopped, what do you do with yourself?  Still arising at some ungodly hour, little to do and not much to accomplish, time is your challenge.  You have been away from your spouse for most of the waking hours of you life, and frankly she us used to that.  Now you are sitting across from the breakfast table, looking at each other.  Being married over 40 years, aside from occasions, we ate breakfast separately and she likes her quiet time without and questions (of any kind).

I have no answers on this one, which leads me to another issue, relationships.  Your spouse and you will put your relationship to the test as well because you are dealing with each other with more time than ever.  How does everyone stay happy or at least contented?  None of this easy.  It takes work ont the part of both parties.

On another side and a different topic, I am disheartened with the results of the recent election, but I will get thru it, feeling better than I did yesterday.  

all for now 

Where do we go?

its January 6th 2023, two years since an Insurrection occurred on the steps of our nations Capitol.  After 11 ballots the US Congress not yet sworn in has failed to elect a Speaker of the House. Many speeches have occurred and will probably continue.  My friend John Considine suggests that I nominate him.  He has legislative experience in the State of Florida and he has Newt Gingrich hair piled on top of his head. Might not be a bad bet.  I think the next step for them is to reach out to dems looking for some votes.  The hard liners in their party would end the republic rather than backing down.  We will see what happens.  Maybe today is the day.  After all it is the 2nd anniversary of their leader's encouragement of disruption of the smooth transfer of power after a lawful election.

Grand kids are better and back to school today.  Basically all I did was feed them and watched TV while they retreated to their rooms.  Saw way too much screen time during my stay.  I am a big fan of documentaries.  The best one I saw during this adventure was "The Automat" shown on HBOmax.  It showed the history of a food delivery system that flourished in New York City and Philadelphia from the 20's to the 60's.  Customers would place nickels into slots next to little windows showing sandwiches or pies or side dishes and the door would open and the china plated food could be accessed.  There were many speakers and historia
ns in this brief film, but the best were Mel Brooks, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Colin Powell all extolling the Automat.  It was a wonderful look at something I knew little about, as a midwestern kid. 

Still ugly and rainy outside.  Have to trudge to the store to get some things.

 

that's it

enjoy your day

stay safe

Over the teeth and through the gums, lookout stomach, here it comes

Home with sick kids  duty today.  Both are down with the flu.  This is my quotable quote from Soupy Sales,  remembered eating lunch with Soupy, White Fang and company during the 50's walking home from Greenfield Union school.  Mom probably made bologna sandwiches on Silvercup white bread. And yet, I sill managed to survive. That was part of the routine.  Marie has some meds to take, an experience she hates.  Tried the old line, if fell flat and we have more pills at lunch.  

Been watching too much TV for this duration.  Saw the excellent documentary on Nancy Pelosi shot by her daughter Alexandra.  My favorite part was when she ripped up the State of the Union speech on live TV for all to see.  Parts of it showed the chaos of January 6, 2021.  There was a lot of obvious fear in the members. Later Nancy  saw that it was time for younger members to take over the leadership role and stepped down as Speaker and leader of her party.  On the other side, McCarthy cannot find enough friends to elect him speaker 3 ballots in.  

Watched the KISS doc from A&E which was quite good and not a big fanfare for their performances and life styles.  After auspicious beginnings, infighting and a lot of bad habits seem to take over.  

Struggling with Blogger trying to get all the buttons for sharing on a new blog.  Video instructions have been far too complicated for my feeble mind.  Gonna stick with this one for awhile.  

10:03 am in Southfield and still extremely foggy.  This is a lower topography and the mist still hang in there.

Making Trader Joes  Mandarin Orange Chicken for dinner tonight.  

that's it

all for now

stay safe

2023 and........here it is

A little foggy at the Towers this morning, but peaks of blue sky.
 

It is January 2nd 2023 and I chose a new theme for this year.  And again, I have to reinvent myself to adapt to the march of time that is going thru my body and mind. Covid is still here, but we are learning to live with it.  We will probably be getting a booster each year to stave off the symptoms.  

And there is Harry, always waiting somewhat patiently for food.  This is a shot of his morning glare. 

I am going to stop being lazy and make more food, eliminating processed foods when I can.  Luncheon meats from the deli counter and my old mainstay pizza are the biggest culprits.  Always a struggle, I must include more plant based items in my diet.  

Watching 60 Minutes, a segment about obesity, the doctor interviewed stated definitely that this disease is largely linked to genetics and family history.  Our society shames fat people unmercifully.  They are made to feel unworthy of love or beauty.  And try as they might, all the starvation and exercise will not improve this condition.  There is a new treatment that is the same stuff I take for Diabetes that changes the way food. is processed.  However, insurance won't cover it for weight loss calling the substance a "vanity drug".  I can get it at a reasonable cost due to my chronic illness but not these folks.  For me a side effect has been to initially lower my weight and help maintain it along with controlling glucose in the blood.  

Becoming 73 this year and sometimes if feels like 93 or on a good day maybe 53.  Exercise seems to be the key to reducing aches and pains.  It has not provided weight loss in my case.  But I feel better when it is done.

all for now

Happy 2023

be safe